Page 5 of Approved (The Dapper Duck #1)

Chapter five

WEST

It was 2:00 a.

m.

, and I never got back to my phone.

We were in the weeds, so I jumped in to help with anything my staff needed.

We just had last call and will close in thirty minutes.

Tired from a hectic night, I headed to my office to start closing.

I had really wanted to talk to Tyler more, but there wasn’t the opportunity.

Before handling the evening’s banking needs, I sent a quick message to Tyler.

WEST

Hope you slept well.

I sent the message because I said I would and hoped he hadn’t waited.

After we spent the afternoon together, I was obsessed with getting to know him better.

He was charming, funny, and I was drawn to him.

There was a reason he was nervous about going out with me.

It was impossible to know why he felt that way, and it could be anything, but it didn’t matter because I was interested enough in him to be patient.

The days of different men every weekend were behind me, and I hadn’t been with someone for a few years.

I’d outgrown my hookup days and knew I wanted to find my person.

It took a while for me to admit that marriage, a pet, and the whole happily ever after was a goal.

Tyler very much interested me as a person, and my libido also took notice of him since he was sexy—perfect lean, strong body, square jaw, and those gorgeous honey-colored eyes.

I didn’t know if I wanted to lick every inch of him and make him fall apart or cuddle him tight and melt into his warmth.

Once I finally got in bed, my thoughts drifted back to Tyler.

It was hard for me to pull back and not overwhelm him.

More than anything, I wanted to send him gifts and text all the time, but I was afraid it would be too much.

Investing in the long game was absolutely fine with me, as long as he didn’t tell me no, the door was open, and I would work my way through it.

I fell asleep smiling as I thought about him and Earl enjoying dinner that I got to buy them.

It looked like he had a cat too, a man who liked animals was perfect for me.

It would have been nice to share the meal, but this was a good alternative because it seemed to make him happy, which made me feel good.

At noon, I got up to start another work day.

One of the first thoughts I had was of Tyler.

I grabbed my phone and hoped he had texted.

When I saw the notifications, I grinned.

TYLER

I hope you slept well, too.

I had way too much food.

Eating leftovers for lunch.

Do you take days off?

For the first time, he asked me a question.

I pulled on my Cookie Monster pajama pants, went to my kitchen, started coffee, and grabbed a frozen breakfast sandwich.

There were a few hours before I would head to The Dapper Duck, which meant I could nudge the cute florist a little bit.

WEST

I slept pretty well and ended up working quite late.

I take Sundays and Mondays off work.

I considered saying something about how I often went to work on those days because there was nothing better to do, but I didn’t want him to think I wouldn’t have time for the right person.

Recently, I started to crave that tight couple thing.

The hard work got me to where I am, but now that I was thirty-one, it was time to share my success.

My desire to spoil a man, shower him with gifts, and love the hell out of him was palpable.

It was my love language, and I had learned that men found that to be a bit much, especially at the beginning of a relationship.

In the last few years, nobody has even dinged the bell of interest, now, Tyler made all my bells ring.

WEST

What days do you take off?

Talking like this made me anxious, because any little nugget he gave, made me want to get to know him more.

TYLER

We take the same days off.

That’s interesting.

WEST

It is.

TYLER

What do you do on your days off?

WEST

Depends.

Sometimes, just hang out.

I would love to have someone to Netflix and chill with.

Maybe someday.

TYLER

A guy like you can have anybody you want.

WEST

I am looking for that special someone.

TYLER

I can understand that.

After we sent messages back and forth for over an hour, he asked if we could talk more that evening.

WEST

Any time you want.

I’ll be at the bar but will have my phone.

TYLER

You’ll talk to me at work?

WEST

I own the place.

I do what I want.

:-D

TYLER

I know how that works.

It’s great, right?

!

WEST

For sure.

Get some work done.

I’ll be around this evening.

TYLER

Perfect.

Attached was a picture of tons of flowers, and I knew they would undoubtedly be turned into something gorgeous.

Maybe The Dapper Duck needed more fresh flowers, something with long stems.

I’d talk to Spark and get a weekly order set up; fresh flowers would certainly make the place nicer.

While I did chores, I let myself get excited that he was messaging me.

I had been patient all week, and it apparently worked.

Tyler and I texted every day for about ten more days.

I was slowly making progress, and starting to know him.

“Look at you already smiling.” One of my bartenders said as I walked in the door.

“It’s a glorious day. Why wouldn’t I smile?”

“Fair point. Do you know where Spark is?”

“They are in the back room talking to one of the new guys, who made a few mistakes last night, and Spark wanted to discuss it with them.”

Spark had been with me since I opened the bar.

We had no idea The Dapper Duck would blow up like it did.

Having high-end drinks with incredibly friendly but discreet staff paid off.

Word of mouth brought in more and more people.

I walked into the back office, where Spark sat at the desk, and a terrified bartender was in a chair in front of them.

“You called the owner? I dropped three drinks. Am I getting fired?”

Spark laughed.

“No, you aren’t getting fired. Just be more careful. You don’t have to rush to your customers, it’s okay if you slow down and don’t drop glasses.” The kid got up and returned to the floor, pressing against the wall to avoid me.

Spark looked at me.

“You seem happy. Were you looking for me?”

“I was. There are two things I need from you. I’d like fresh flowers around the bar, maybe five or so centerpieces, replaced weekly. Have Flower Power supply them, please. Also, until further notice, I want one of the seats at the end of the bar reserved for Tyler Brooks.”

I felt like Tyler and I were moving slowly forward, and I’d given him an open invitation to come to The Dapper Duck any time he wanted.

The idea of him being here while I worked made my heart flutter, and when his beautiful bouquets were all around my bar, they would always put me in a good mood.

Spark raised an eyebrow at me, curious about my directives, but didn’t ask.

“Alright. Consider it done.”

I thanked them and headed to the front, where my doorman was already stationed.

“Hey, Angus.”

He turned and smiled, then reached out a hand and pulled me in for a bro hug.

“What’s up?”

“I texted you a picture. If that gentleman shows up at any time, he is allowed in and has a seat at the bar waiting for him.” Angus wasn’t as reserved as Spark.

“Oh really? You’ve never done something like this before,” he gave me a crooked smile.

“Never met someone worth it. I don’t know if he will ever show up, but in case he does.”

Angus slapped me on the back.

“I hope he does show up. That smile looks pretty good on you, West.”

“Here’s hoping.” I returned the slap and went back toward the bar.

There was so much nervous energy running through me because I’d started to get addicted to Tyler’s attention.

Spark walked up to me.

“Can you ring up a few tickets? I need to go to the kitchen.”

“I got you,” I told them and headed to the POS system.

As I started the tickets, two had receipts from Flower Power, so I gave them the twenty-five percent discount.

I hoped the little promotion I ran helped Tyler’s business.

It wasn’t much, but he might get some new customers.

We had some really famous people in here all the time.

It would be great if he were hired for one of their events.

I knew that Tyler closed his shop at 6:00 p.

m.

, which was late enough that people could still get flowers on their way home.

He would probably go straight home.

He wouldn’t have time for me until 8:00 p.

m.

I had at least an hour before he might text me.

To give myself something to focus on, I tended bar because making drinks gave me something to focus on, and made time pass quickly.

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, and I couldn’t help but get excited.

It had to be Tyler.

TYLER

How is your evening going?

Is the bar busy?

I answered immediately, knowing I showed my hand, but I didn’t care.

It wasn’t a secret that I liked the guy.

WEST

Not too bad.

The wait to get in is about forty minutes at the door.

TYLER

That sounds busy.

I’d never get in.

WEST

You can always get in.

Always.

I made sure of it.

I mentally chastised myself.

I didn’t want to be too pushy.

TYLER

Oh?

Really?

WEST

Sure.

It’s a benefit of being my friend.

He didn’t need to know I had many friends, and I never saved them a seat or let them bypass the line.

I had told them they would have to wait like the general public.

Tyler was special, but that didn’t need to be said, at least not yet.

TYLER

Cool.

I never got to have an actual drink there.

WEST

You are welcome any time.

How was your day?

TYLER

It was good.

WEST

Would you want to meet me for a piece of pie?

Not a date.

TYLER

Now?

WEST

Yeah.

I held my breath.

It was 8:30 p.

m.

, and I knew a diner with great pie.

TYLER

Not a date.

WEST

Correct.

Just pie together.

Delicious pie.

TYLER

Send me the address.

I’ll see you in half an hour.

The pie better be good.

“Spark!” I was so excited.

They turned around.

“What’s wrong?”

“I have to jet, I don’t have a date I have to go to.” They looked at me.

“Okay? So you are leaving to meet a guy that isn’t a date in the middle of a shift?”

I grinned foolishly.

“Yup. That’s exactly it.”

“Well Dayummmmmmm.” Spark looked me up and down.

“Look at you. This must be some guy. You’ve never left on a work night.”

They were right.

I took days off—well, they were scheduled—but I never left once I was working.

Spark honestly could run this place without me for weeks.

Spark ran a tight ship, as long as I kept up on orders, they could run everything else.

Sometimes I thought they were more on top of things than I was.

“Wish me luck. I am hoping this non-date will lead to some actual dates.” I grabbed my jacket.

“Good luck, Mr. Parker,” they yelled as I headed out the front door.

When I was in front of the diner, my palms were sweaty.

Before I got out, I used the rear view mirror to fluff my hair, then, when I stood up, I straightened my clothes.

I wore my work uniform—jeans, Dapper Duck shirt, and black boots.

I was one of those guys who wore work jeans and ‘good’ jeans.

Spark and I wore button-downs with embroidered bar logo, whereas the wait staff wore vests over white dress shirts with the same embroidery.

I wiped my palms on my jeans.

Okay, I was ready.

I was nervous, but I was ready.